[Article]-Review: Penetration Testing with BackTrack by Offensive Security Part 2

[Don Donzal]

Part 2 of 4 for your reading pleasure.  ;D

Permanent link: [Article]-Review: Penetration Testing with BackTrack by Offensive Security Part 2

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Ryan Linn is back with Part 2 of his review of PWB. It’s shaping up to be a four-part series of weekly insights as he progresses through the course with a final compilation review to follow. This is a new format for us at EH-Net, so please let us know in the forums what you think as we experiment.

As a reminder, PWB is described by Offensive Security as, “‘Pentesting with BackTrack’ (previously known as Offensive Security 101) is an online course designed for network administrators and security professionals who need to get acquainted with the world of offensive security. This penetration testing course introduces the latest hacking tools and techniques, and includes remote live labs for exercising the material presented to the students. This course gives a solid understanding of the penetration testing process, and is equally important for those wanting to either defend or attack their network. The course can be taken from your home, as long as you have a modern computer with high speed internet.”

Again, let us know your thoughts on this new format.

Thanks,
Don

[T_Bone]

Hi Ryan

Thanks for Part 2, i am looking forward to the the remaining 2 chapters.  My only question is, i know that the course consists of Both Videos and a manual.  Is all the information in the video’s covered in the manual?

Thanks

[apollo]

I would say for the most part yes.  You are talked through what is going on while you watch, and then much of the information is put into the manual.  In some cases, I think the manual is more thorough than the videos, and I had no trouble going back to reference the manual.  Actually any time I needed to remember how to do something that I saw I went to the manual and not the vids.  Some of the stuff is definitely easier when you see it done as opposed to reading about it, so I think overall it’s good to do both.

[rattis]

Might be a silly question, but are these instructor led or video led? Is there someone there saying do this in this time frame etc, and available on the spot to answer questions?

[apollo]

Video led.  Here’s my thoughts on getting help.  At 4am, I have asked a question in IRC and had it answered.  There are always folks on there, and if they don’t know the answer right away, if you give it a little bit an instructor will get back with you.  Theres so much information though, there is never a spot where you will be “If I don’t get this RIGHT NOW then I can’t do anything else”  What really struck me though, is that the videos are so good, that I haven’t had any questions about the content.  The questions I had were regarding the extras.  I think that the videos explain stuff very well, and I was impressed at how well they addressed questions that might come up.  There where a few times when I had thought to myself “I wonder how..” and before I could finish the thought, the videos were already addressing that concern.  If you would like to see what the quality of the videos are, there are a number up for free on their website.

[brucel33]

Great Review man.  I think this is an awesome format.  Alot of use are thinking of trying this course and want to know what it is like before we shell out the money.  Did you get a copy of CORE-IMPACT? and SAINT? What format did they give it to you.  *.gz, *.tar or is it within the lab. 

[UNIX]

Thanks for the second part, looking forward to the two remaining ones. 🙂

[impelse]

When we will get the part 3?

[apollo]

It’s my fault 🙂  I haven’t gotten it to Don yet, but I hope to this weekend.  I was at SecTor (http://www.sector.ca) this week and was preparing for it last week so I have been slow in getting this out.  Check back in a few days and you will hopefully see it 🙂  The next sections cover actual exploit development, compiling and utilization so I think the next section is going to have some of the goodies that everyone is looking for.

[T_Bone]

Any news on Part 3 as yet?

[Don Donzal]

Goes up at midnight my time… so in about 15 minutes.

Don

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